Dealership vehicle transport helps move automobiles from dealerships to buyers, other dealers, service locations, and other destinations. It can be especially useful when a customer purchases a vehicle from another city or state and doesn’t want to make a separate trip to retrieve it.
A smooth shipment depends on coordination between the dealership, transportation provider, and receiving party. Vehicle information, release authorization, pickup hours, contact details, and carrier access should be confirmed before pickup.
How Does Dealership Vehicle Transport Work?
Dealership vehicle transport usually starts after the vehicle is ready to be released.
Transportation planning typically requires:
- Year, make, and model
- Dealership name and address
- Pickup contact
- Delivery location
- Operating condition
- Vehicle modifications
- Preferred transportation dates
- Open or enclosed carrier preference
The dealership should also know that a carrier will be arriving to retrieve the automobile.
What Information Is Needed for Dealer Vehicle Shipping?
Accurate information helps make dealer vehicle shipping easier to coordinate.
Before scheduling, confirm:
- Correct dealership location
- Appropriate employee or department
- Vehicle identification information
- Release status
- Available keys
- Pickup hours
- Vehicle location on the property
- Delivery contact
Some dealerships maintain inventory at more than one lot, so the physical location of the automobile should be verified.
How Should You Arrange Dealership Vehicle Transport?
Before arranging dealership vehicle transport, confirm that the automobile will actually be ready when the carrier arrives.
Ask the dealership whether:
- The purchase is complete.
- Required paperwork is finished.
- The vehicle is released.
- Keys are available.
- The appropriate employee knows about pickup.
- The carrier can access the vehicle.
- Pickup hours or restrictions apply.
Resolving these details beforehand can reduce preventable pickup delays.
Can Vehicles Be Transported Between Dealerships?
Depending on the arrangements, vehicles may be transported from one dealership location to another.
Dealer-to-dealer transportation may be useful for:
- Inventory transfers
- Vehicle trades
- Specialty inventory
- Customer purchases
- Vehicles located at another store
- Used vehicle inventory
For dealership vehicle transport, both locations should have accurate contact and vehicle information.
Open vs. Enclosed Dealer Vehicle Transport
Carrier selection can depend on the automobile and transportation requirements.
When Does Open Auto Transport Make Sense?
Open carriers are widely used for passenger vehicle transportation.
They can accommodate many:
- Sedans
- SUVs
- Crossovers
- Pickup trucks
- Minivans
- Standard passenger vehicles
Vehicles on open carriers experience normal outdoor weather and road exposure.
Open transportation is commonly considered for routine dealer vehicle transport.
When Should You Consider Enclosed Shipping?
Enclosed transportation places the automobile inside a covered trailer, reducing direct exposure to weather and normal road conditions.
A buyer or dealer may consider enclosed transportation for:
- Classic automobiles
- Collector cars
- Luxury vehicles
- Exotic cars
- Restored automobiles
- Specialty vehicles
The appropriate equipment depends on the particular automobile and transportation priorities.
What Should the Dealer Do Before Vehicle Pickup?
The appropriate dealership employee should know that the vehicle is scheduled for transportation.
Before dealership vehicle transport, confirm that the dealer has:
- Vehicle information
- Buyer information when required
- Release authorization
- Required keys
- Carrier contact information
- Pickup instructions
The automobile should also be accessible during the agreed pickup period.
Should You Get Photos Before Dealer Transport?
Photographs can provide useful condition documentation, especially when the buyer hasn’t personally inspected the automobile.
Consider obtaining photographs of the:
- Front
- Rear
- Both sides
- Roof
- Wheels
- Windshield
- Interior
- Existing scratches or dents
For a pre-owned vehicle, recent photographs can be particularly useful before dealer vehicle shipping begins.
Keep the images available until delivery.
Does Vehicle Size Affect Dealership Vehicle Transport?
Yes. Vehicle size and weight can influence dealership vehicle transport because different automobiles occupy different amounts of carrier space.
Tell the transportation provider about significant modifications such as:
- Lift kits
- Oversized tires
- Roof racks
- Custom bumpers
- Lowered suspension
- Other exterior changes
A compact sedan and a lifted full-size pickup shouldn’t automatically be treated as identical shipments.
Can Used Cars Be Transported From Dealerships?
Depending on the arrangements, both new and pre-owned automobiles can be transported from dealerships.
For a used vehicle, confirm:
- Operating condition
- Existing exterior damage
- Current mileage if important to you
- Available keys
- Release status
- Pickup contact
Clear condition information supports better dealership vehicle transport planning when the buyer is purchasing remotely.
What Happens if the Vehicle Does Not Run?
Tell the transportation provider before scheduling.
Determine whether the automobile:
- Starts
- Rolls
- Steers
- Brakes
- Has inflated tires
- Has suspension damage
Simply saying that a vehicle is “non-running” doesn’t provide enough information to evaluate its mobility.
A disabled automobile may require different loading considerations from one that can be driven normally.
How Does Dealership Access Affect Vehicle Transport?
Dealerships often have ample vehicle areas, but carriers still need accurate access instructions.
A large dealership may have:
- Multiple entrances
- Separate storage lots
- Service areas
- Off-site inventory
- Designated loading areas
- Restricted entrances
The carrier should know exactly where the vehicle is located before arriving.
Good access information can make dealer vehicle transport easier to coordinate.
How Much Does Dealership Vehicle Transport Cost?
There isn’t one universal price for dealership vehicle transport.
Transportation pricing can depend on:
- Distance
- Route
- Vehicle size
- Operating condition
- Pickup and delivery locations
- Carrier availability
- Open or enclosed equipment
- Seasonal demand
For an accurate quote, provide information about the actual vehicle and requested route rather than relying on a generic transportation price.
How Does Distance Affect Dealer Vehicle Shipping?
Distance is an important factor, but it isn’t the only consideration affecting transportation timing.
Schedules can also depend on:
- Route
- Carrier availability
- Dealership pickup hours
- Delivery location
- Weather
- Traffic
- Construction
- Other scheduled stops
Long-distance dealer vehicle shipping generally requires more transit time, but mileage alone shouldn’t be used to promise an exact delivery date.
What Happens When the Carrier Arrives?
The automobile should be accessible and ready for release.
The appropriate dealership employee should have the necessary keys and know which vehicle is being transported.
If the buyer won’t be present, the dealership and transportation provider should have accurate contact information for each other.
Clear communication can prevent simple misunderstandings from delaying pickup.
Can Weather Affect Dealership Vehicle Transport?
Yes. Auto carriers travel on public highways and can encounter rain, snow, ice, severe storms, high winds, traffic, accidents, construction, and road closures.
Those conditions can affect transportation schedules.
Reasonable scheduling flexibility can be helpful with dealership vehicle transport, especially over longer interstate routes.
What Should You Check at Delivery?
Compare the automobile with available pre-transport photographs and applicable transportation documentation.
Inspect:
- Body panels
- Wheels
- Glass
- Roof
- Exterior accessories
- Existing marks
- Previously documented damage
If the vehicle was purchased remotely, delivery may be one of your first opportunities to inspect it personally.
Keeping dealership photographs available provides a useful reference.
How Do You Choose a Dealer Transport Provider?
Don’t evaluate transportation solely on price.
Make sure the provider receives accurate information about the automobile, dealership, release status, pickup location, destination, and timing.
Consumers can research motor carrier information through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and transportation information through the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Webster Hauling also has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Provider research and accurate information are both important parts of arranging dealership vehicle transport.
Dealership Vehicle Transport FAQs
Can a Dealership Release a Vehicle Directly to a Carrier?
Depending on dealership procedures, it may be possible. Confirm release requirements and make sure the appropriate employee knows about the transportation arrangements.
Can a New Vehicle Be Shipped From Another State?
Depending on the purchase and transportation arrangements, an out-of-state dealership vehicle can be transported to a requested destination.
Can Dealerships Transport Used Cars?
Pre-owned vehicles may also be transported. Confirm the automobile’s condition, keys, release status, pickup contact, and accessibility before scheduling dealer vehicle shipping.
Does the Buyer Need to Be Present at Pickup?
Not necessarily. Depending on dealership procedures, an authorized employee may be able to release the automobile to the carrier.
Should I Request Condition Photos?
Recent photographs can provide useful documentation, especially when buying a pre-owned vehicle without seeing it in person first.
For more answers about transportation, visit Webster Hauling’s Frequently Asked Questions page.
Plan Your Dealership Vehicle Transport
Successful dealership vehicle transport starts with coordination between the dealership, transportation provider, and receiving party.
Confirm the vehicle’s release status, pickup contact, operating condition, carrier access, destination, and preferred transportation dates beforehand.
Webster Hauling helps customers coordinate transportation for vehicles purchased from dealerships and other sellers.
Having complete vehicle and pickup information ready can make the process easier from dealership release through delivery.
